Human Rights Watch accuses Israel of using white phosphorus in southern Lebanese town
BEIRUT (AP) — The Israeli army “illegally” hit a village in southern Lebanon with bullets containing white phosphorus, a controversial incendiary munition, human rights group Human Rights Watch said in a report Monday.
Israel fired white phosphorus using artillery fire at residential areas in the village of Yohmor in southern Lebanon, Human Rights Watch said, geolocating and verifying seven images. The incident occurred hours after the Israeli army warned residents of the village and dozens of other people in southern Lebanon to evacuate.
Human Rights Watch said it could not independently determine whether there were still residents in the area or whether anyone had been harmed.
Human rights advocates say the use of white phosphorus when the incandescent chemical is fired into populated areas is illegal under international law. It can set buildings on fire and burn human flesh to the bone. Survivors face the risk of infection and organ or respiratory failure, even if their burns are minor.
“The Israeli army’s illegal use of white phosphorus in populated areas is extremely worrying and will have dire consequences for civilians,” said Ramzi Kaiss, Lebanon researcher at Human Rights Watch.
The Israeli military did not immediately respond to a request for comment. He has claimed in the past that he used white phosphorus as a smoke screen to avoid targeting civilians.
Organizations such as Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International said the munitions were used multiple times in Israel’s last war against Hezbollah more than a year ago in southern Lebanon, where civilians were still present.
